A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 18-1), is
effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 29, 2018. Please be advised that, depending
on the specified due date, the guidelines contained in NSF 18-1 may apply to proposals submitted in response to this
funding opportunity.

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Deadline Date

April 18, 2018

Elements

Data Elements

Software Elements

Framework Implementations

Data Frameworks

Software Frameworks

SYNOPSIS

The Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI) umbrella program encompasses the long-running Data Infrastructure Building Blocks (DIBBs) and Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2) programs, as NSF seeks to enable funding opportunities that are flexible and responsive to the evolving and emerging needs in data and software cyberinfrastructure.

The CSSI umbrella program anticipates four classes of awards:

Elements (either Data Elements or Software Elements): These awards target small groups that will create and deploy robust capabilities for which there is a demonstrated need that will advance one or more significant areas of science and engineering.

Framework Implementations (either Data Frameworks or Software Frameworks):These awards target larger, interdisciplinary teams organized around the development and application of common infrastructure aimed at solving common research problems faced by NSF researchers in one or more areas of science and engineering, resulting in a sustainable community framework serving a diverse community or communities.

Planning Grants for Community Cyberinfrastructure (either Community Data Cyberinfrastructure Planning Grants or Community Software Cyberinfrastructure Planning Grants):Planning awards focus on the establishment of long-term capabilities in cyberinfrastructure, which would serve a research community of substantial size and disciplinary breadth.

Community Cyberinfrastructure Implementations (either Community Data Cyberinfrastructure Implementations or Community Software Cyberinfrastructure Implementations): These Community Software Cyberinfrastructure Implementations focus on the establishment of long-term hubs of excellence in cyberinfrastructure and technologies, which will serve a research community of substantial size and disciplinary breadth.

This particular CSSI solicitation requests only Elements and Framework Implementations classes of awards.

For 2018, this solicitation welcomes proposals that support the goals of the:

National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI). NSCI is aimed at sustaining and enhancing U.S. scientific, technological, and economic leadership in high-performance computing (HPC) research, development, and deployment, enhancing the productivity of the Nation’s fundamental research ecosystem. Information about the NSCI together with associated strategic plans, results of community workshops, background studies and other relevant resources, which suggest priority areas in both the domain sciences and HPC and software infrastructure, are available at http://www.nsf.gov/nsci/.

Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR). HDR is one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas for Future Investment (https://www.nsf.gov/about/congress/reports/nsf_big_ideas.pdf). HDR is aimed at fundamental data science research, research data cyberinfrastructure, and the development of a 21st-century data-capable workforce. HDR will enable new modes of data-driven discovery – allowing researchers to ask and answer new questions in frontier science and engineering, generate new knowledge and understanding, and accelerate discovery and innovation.

Proposers are encouraged to review the above-linked materials about NSCI and HDR for priority areas identified by the research community. A sub-section summarizing priorities for the collaborating NSF directorates and divisions has been included with this 2018 solicitation – see the ‘Programmatic Areas of Interest’ included at the end of the Program Description section.

Prospective Principal Investigators (PIs) should be aware that this is a multi-directorate activity and that they are encouraged to submit proposals with broad, interdisciplinary interests. Further, not all divisions are participating at the same level and division-specific priorities differ. Thus, PIs interested in proposing to this solicitation are encouraged to refer to core program descriptions, Dear Colleague Letters, and recently posted descriptions on directorate and divisional home pages to gain insight as to the priorities for the relevant areas of science and engineering to which their proposal may be responsive.

Finally, it is strongly recommended that prospective PIs contact program officer(s) from the list of Cognizant Program Officers in the division(s) that typically support the scientists and engineers who would make use of the proposed work, to gain insight into the priorities for the relevant areas of science and engineering to which their proposals should be responsive.